September 2026 Newsletter | | If this message is clipped, click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of this email. | | Beginner American Sign Language (ASL) | | |
Join us for an ASL class designed for students with little to no experience. Learn fingerspelling, basic vocabulary, numbers, and simple conversational skills through interactive practice. You will also be introduced to Deaf culture.
Mondays, September 14 - October 19, 2026
1:00 - 2:00 pm on Zoom
| | Have fun playing games and making new friends! It’s a chance to relax, laugh, and spend time with others in a friendly and welcoming space. | | |
Virtual
September 8 - May 11
(Second Tuesday of the month)
6:00 - 6:50 pm
on Zoom
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In-Person
Thursdays, October 8, 22, November 12, December 10
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
DNEM Troy Office
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Our final adaptive kayaking clinic this year!
Take a one-hour adaptive kayaking lesson designed for individuals with disabilities, ages 8 and older. No prior kayaking experience is required. Life jackets, adaptive equipment, and modifications are provided to ensure a safe, supportive, and enjoyable experience.
Kayaks have a maximum weight capacity of 225 pounds. Due to high demand, a $10 donation is required to reserve a spot in this program.
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September 9, 2026
Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston
Choose a one-hour spot between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm
| | Adaptive Kayaking Sponsors: | |
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Adaptive Cycling Open House
September 22, 2026
Normandy Oaks County Park, Royal Oak
3:00 - 6:00 pm
Explore the fun and freedom of adaptive cycling in a welcoming, supportive environment. Try a variety of adaptive cycles, including side-by-side bikes, trikes, recumbent bikes, ride-along cycles, and other specialized equipment. Register and come anytime between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm to test different cycles and find what works best for you.
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Join us for a bike through the park! | |
We have 7 adult-sized adaptive bikes. Pick a bike AND a one-hour time slot. Helmets are required. Bring yours or wear one of ours.
October 1, 2026
Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston
Choose a 1-hour time slot between 2:00 and 6:00 pm
October 8, 2026
Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston
Choose a 1-hour time slot between 2:00 and 6:00 pm
| | | | Adaptive Cycling Sponsor: | | | Questions about Adaptive Cycling? | |
Contact the RecConnect Team
REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org
586-268-4160
| | These groups provide a safe space for stroke survivors, caregivers, family, and friends to connect with others who have similar experiences. | | Stroke Survivors Support Group | Meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. | |
September 16, 2026
11:45 - 2:00 pm | Detroit Zoo
Meet us at the Detroit Zoo gates, and the entrance fee will be waived for group members and guests.
| | | Meets monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. | |
October 7, 2026
12:00 - 2:00 pm | DNEM Clinton Township Office
A supportive and engaging recreation group for stroke survivors. Enjoy adapted activities like games, crafts, gentle movement.
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Art - Clinton Township
Explore a variety of art forms such as pottery, painting, and pastels. No prior art experience is needed—all abilities are welcome!
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October 1 - December 17, 2026
(6 sessions; first and third Thursday each month)
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
DNEM Clinton Township Office
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Art - Troy
Explore a variety of art forms such as pottery, painting, and pastels. No prior art experience is needed—all abilities are welcome!
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October 6 - December 15, 2026
(6 sessions; second and fourth Thursday each month)
1:00 - 2:00 pm
DNEM Troy Office
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Advanced Art - Lapeer
For advanced art students who need minimal assistance with creativity and follow-through. Modifications and all supplies are provided.
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October 14 - December 9, 2026
(4 sessions; second and fourth Wednesdays each month)
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
DNEM Lapeer Office
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Have fun creating art while supporting DNEM’s annual Art from the Heart fundraiser! Participants will be guided through an art project that will be considered for the art show. If the artwork is selected, the artist will receive a free ticket to attend the event. If the artwork sells, the artist will receive half of the sale proceeds. Artwork not selected or sold will be returned to the artist. Join us for a fun art experience and help support continued Rec-Connect programs!
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October 19, November 16, & December 14, 2026
1:00 - 2:00 pm | DNEM Fort Gratiot Office
| 10:00 - 11:30 am | DNEM Lapeer Office | 10:00 - 11:30 am | DNEM Lapeer Office | 10:00 - 11:30 am | DNEM Lapeer Office | | | | |
This fun, adaptive bowling program is for individuals of all abilities, with no prior bowling experience required. We provide all necessary equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
The cost is $12 per bowler, payable to the bowling alley on the day of the event. This cost includes 2 bowling games and shoe rental.
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October 2
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Imperial Lanes, Clinton Township
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November 6
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Imperial Lanes, Clinton Township
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December 4
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Imperial Lanes, Clinton Township
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Feel the rhythm and unwind with us through therapeutic drumming. Explore hand drumming, simple musical activities, and the energy of creating sound as a group. No musical experience is needed — it is all about connection, creativity, and enjoying the process. Meets monthly on the third Tuesday of the month through December.
October 20, November 17, & December 15, 2026
5:00 - 6:00 pm | DNEM Troy Office
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Join us for a guided nature walk to explore fall foliage and local wildlife.
Trails and buildings are fully accessible. All are welcome.
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October 9, 2026
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Red Oaks Nature Center, Madison Heights
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October 16, 2026
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Independence Oaks County Park, Clarkston
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Questions about the Nature Walks?
Contact the RecConnect Team
REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org
586-268-4160
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Explore movement through stretching and strengthening in this 6-session class. Move your body gently while paying attention to how you feel. Learn to focus on your breathing and how your body moves to help you feel calm, relaxed, and strong. It’s a fun way to connect your mind and body!
Tuesdays, October 13 - November 17, 2026
DNEM Troy Office or Virtually
10:00 - 10:45 pm
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Questions about Chair Fitness?
Contact the RecConnect Team
REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org
586-268-4160
| Disability-Themed Book Club | |
Join our new Disability-Related book club at the Sandusky Public Library.
Join for one month, or all three!
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October 16 & 30: "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata
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November 6 & 20: "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio
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December 4 & 18: The group will choose the book!
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Questions about Disability-Themed Book Club?
Contact the RecConnect Team
REC-IT@DNEMichigan.org
810-987-9337
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October 18, 2026 | 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Holly Oaks ORV Park
Disability Dirt Days is an off-roading experience designed for people with disabilities! Experience what it’s like to zip through the dirt, bounce over rocks, and splash in the water, paired safely with a volunteer driver. Riders must be at least 10 years old and may bring a guest. Waivers are required.
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Questions about Disability Dirt Days?
Contact the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Team
OCPrecreation@OakGov.com
Call or text 248-221-8040
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Sign up for an adaptive archery lesson designed for individuals with disabilities, ages 14 and older. No prior archery experience is required. Adaptive equipment and modifications ensure a safe, supportive, and enjoyable experience.
October 26, 2026
12:30 - 2:00 pm or 2:30 - 4:00 pm
The Hawk - Farmington Hills Community Center
| | New Privacy Choices on Our Website | | |
We added a new privacy tool to our website. It explains the tracking technologies we use, and it lets you choose which ones you want to allow.
Like many organizations, we use tools such as Google Analytics, Constant Contact, and social media platforms. They help us see how people use our website and whether our messages are working. These tools may collect basic details about your visit, such as which pages you look at and what you click on.
The new tool makes all of this clearer, and it gives you a say in the tracking that is optional.
Why are we doing this?
We think you should know when a website is tracking you. You should also be able to say no to the parts that are optional.
If you turn down optional tracking, you can still use our whole website. It will not change your relationship with us, and it will not affect whether you can take part in our programs and services.
Thank you for trusting us. We will keep working to make our digital services clear, easy to use, and respectful of the people we serve.
What will you see?
When you visit our website, you may see a privacy or cookie notice with choices like these:
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Accept: Turns on the optional cookies and tracking listed in the notice.
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Reject: Turns off optional tracking, such as analytics, advertising, and social media tracking. Some cookies are needed to run the website, and those may still be used. They do things like keep the site secure, save your privacy choices, keep you signed in, and let you finish a form or a payment.
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Preferences: Lets you look at each type of tracking and pick the ones you want to allow.
Read DNEM's Privacy Policy
| | How Individuals with Disabilities Are Using AI | | |
So far in this series, we've talked about how accessibility and AI need each other, where AI is helping, and where it's falling short. But there's a voice we haven't heard yet, and it's the most important one: the people who actually live with disabilities and use these tools every day.
Their relationship with AI is more nuanced than a tech demo would suggest. There is genuine excitement. There is also real concern. Both deserve airtime.Here is a glimpse at what is actually happening out there.
AI Can Help People with Disabilities
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For blind and low-vision users, AI has been quietly life-changing. Be My Eyes, an app that used to connect blind users with sighted volunteers, now offers an AI option that can describe a photo, read a label on a can of soup, or tell you what is on a restaurant menu instantly, any time of day. Microsoft's Seeing AI does similar work. Many blind users describe it as the difference between waiting for help and just getting on with their day. The catch: when the AI gets it wrong (and it does), there's no easy way to know.
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For Deaf and hard-of-hearing users, live transcription has come a long way. Apps like Live Transcribe and Otter make casual conversations, meetings, and even drive-thru orders more navigable. But, the community has been clear that AI captions aren't a replacement for human interpreters or accurate captions on professionally produced content. They are a “bridge”, not a substitute. The risk is organizations treating them as good enough.
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For neurodivergent users, individuals with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and others, AI has become an unexpected ally for tasks that are not about access to information, but about navigating a world built for different brains. Drafting an email that hits the right tone. Breaking an overwhelming task into smaller pieces. Decoding what a vague message from a coworker actually means. Summarizing a 40-page document down to the parts that matter.
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For people with motor or mobility impairments, AI-powered voice control and predictive input are reducing the physical cost of using a computer. Tools that take a single command and complete a multi-step task on your behalf are especially promising they turn "I have the energy for this" into "I don't have to."
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For people with chronic illness or fatigue, AI can act as a kind of cognitive backup. On a brain-fog day, having something that can summarize, draft, remind, and organize can be the difference between functioning and not.
AI Can Fail People with Disabilities
But, and this is important, the same communities celebrating these tools are also the loudest voices warning about how they get misused.
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- Captions used as a checkbox instead of an interpreter.
- Chatbots replacing human support staff.
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AI image generators producing stereotyped depictions of disability.
- Companies using "we have AI accessibility" as cover for not doing the actual work.
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The lesson for designers, content creators, and developers is simple: the disability community is already living in this AI-enabled world. They have thought harder about it than most of us. If you want to know whether your product is helping or harming, ask them. Hire them. Pay them.
The best accessibility advice has always been "nothing about us without us." That is twice as true when AI is in the mix.
| Read other articles in our AI & Accessibility series: | Have Questions about AI and Digital Accessibility? | | |
Contact Amy Maes, Access and Advocacy Services Director
| | Disability Network Eastern Michigan has a team of Community Information Specialists ready to assist you in finding resources. We can support inquiries about advocacy, accessibility, housing resources, transportation, high school transition, community transition services, veteran services, and more. Call us! | | |
Oakland and Macomb County:
586-268-4160
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Thumb Region:
810-987-9337
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Accommodations: Please contact DNEM with accommodation requests.
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DNEM Summer Hours
May 22 - September 4, 2026
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Do you need support now?
Or are you worried about a loved one who may need crisis support?
| | Your Consumer Experience Defines Our Success | | It is our pleasure to serve the community as we believe people with disabilities should have the same options, and control over choices in their own lives as do people without disabilities. We hope you will share your experience with us, allowing us to connect with others who will benefit from our services. Please take a moment to provide a Google review. | | Disability Network Eastern Michigan is committed to promoting independent living by breaking down barriers and opening paths towards personal choice through resources, advocacy, information, support, and education. | | Follow our social media pages to remain up-to-date with everything happening at DNEM. | | | | |
